Lazy

So after the uber weekend that was, Craig spent his last few days in Sydney running around shopping and taking in the last of his sight-seeing, a poker night and even getting a dirty Tuesday visit to the Palace in before Wednesday night, taking the boys of the house out for a final farewell dinner. I think he had a good time, and he will have gone home a different person than the one that arrived in Oz, after learning how to turn on a washing machine all by himself!! Just kidding mate... (Did you work it out in the end?) :P

Since then, I've been like a wee snail; reclusive after an inquisitive young lad pokes his antennae, and curled up in my homely stead, only coming out when it's seemed safe to do so. Err, I'm not sure where the whole snail analogy is going, since I'm pretty sure snails don't go out for Friday night drinks in Sydney...

err, yeah moving on... work:hard, play:still hard - despite best efforts to relax. I think my body is in shock after having it pretty easy since October 2005... err, actually, make that 'ever'.

My 5-a-side soccer comp ended with our team in the final, however, the game was rained off and I wouldn't get to represent in the final game to be replayed at a final date, a real disappointment as I could feel a grand final hat-trick in my boots :(

That weekend after, a few of us went to a house warming party where a challenge was laid down to pin as many clothes pegs to your face as possible. I guess I too have really matured since all this solo travel and life changing experience, enough to get over 20 on me.

Sunday was mostly; in mind, a write-off, though we did make it down to the SCG to watch the Sydney Swans in a great game of Aussie Rules against Brisbane Lions; courtesy of Jarrads employers members passes. The Swans won it with a few minutes to go in a thrilling finish.

Afterwards I got the chance to kick an AFL ball for the first time of my life. I reckon I did okay, but probably better at the keepy-uppies right afterthat - the hand-ball punch thing was a non-starter really.

Another week of work ticked by fast, and the weekend just gone finally yielded something productive in a cool Sunday spent Rock Climbing at an awesome facility in St Leonards. Rog, Wedgie, Alison and myself spent a few hours scaling the various summits - including one I'll remember for all the wrong reasons - I've tagged it 'The Nutcracker' for obvious and still evident reasons.

After that, our forearms and fingertips were good for nothing else other than sitting in the Bavarian beer cafe at Manly Wharf for a gorgeous Chicken Schnitzel smothered in cheese and ham... and of course a few cheeky German beers to sink it all down with.

Madder

V Festival, Centennial Parklands, Sydney
Well I was hardly not gonna go to V, the first time it made it to the Sunny side of the world. After doing 8 back in Blighty - so close to home was always a 25minute drive to Chelmsford. Now however, it's 45minute walk from home.

Only problem was for me, the lineup, pretty week and it's only a one day event, though I had a large crew of friends going, so I figured it would be unlikely I'd have a crappy time.

Myself, Craig and new temporary housemates Rich & Lou, Martin & Tracy rocked up about 3.30pm to find what I can only describe as one of the most fun-killing things I've ever seen at a festival - yes, an hour long queue for beer. Almost a carbon copy layout of Good Vibes the other month - on the same site, they really managed to get the drink situation so horrendously wrong.

Eventually, walking away with 4beers in my hands (I was hardly gonna queue up again any time soon), I settled to watch a band I've not seen before from the US - The Rapture. I was dead impressed. The sound and the band were great. However time was tight and it was time to whizz off to go see Britpop legend gone solo; Jarvis Cocker.

Despite only hearing all new stuff and no Pulp classics, I thoroughly enjoyed the set and especially his quips between tunes.

Next up, Groove Armada. My 4beers had kicked into play as had everybody elses 4 drinks so we had a really lively time as the English boys saw the crowd 'shakin dat ass'.

My final hit of the day was gonna need some more juice, and Australia V gets a plus point for the Jaeger tent. A couple of bombs and I was ready to go party hard to the first band I've seen play twice in Australia - 2Many DJS. As expected, an absolute pearler of a set rounded off the evening.

The tyro organisers have a lot to learn to get something as successful as the UK leg of this festival, but it was a real pleasure to be part of the first one here.

After V we fell into a nearby pub where as luck would have it, Craig was able to see his beloved Arsenal take on Liverpool... I'll just leave a picture as a memento of this occasion:

Everyday People

INXS, Simple Minds & Arrested Development, SEC.

A long week at work came good in the end, at least outside of hours...

I clocked off on Friday night and met Craig at Town Hall and we went for some impromptu cheap chinatown shopping before heading toward Darling Harbour and the Sydney Entertainment Centre - one of the last big venues I'd yet to visit in Sydney.

The event was a bit of retro night as acts that have been around for over 15years joined forces to put on a big blast from the past. First up, as we walked in the door, was Arrested Development belting out the classic Mr Wendall followed by their other hits and a cool cover of Redemption Song. I was really surprised how good these guys were, and wouldn't have thought they were even around after this long.

They left the stage and soon it was the turn of the Scottish 80's legends; Simple Minds. Jim Kerrs voice was spot on for the gig and he seemed genuinely impressed with the Sydney crowd. This was one of Craigs top things to do whilst here, so he was in his element watching these guys, especially once 'Don't you Forget About Me' and 'Alive & Kicking' ended the set.

I'd spotted one of Craigs friends sitting a few rows in front of us with, as luck would have it - Jim Kerrs mum & dad. After a few words, Jims mum invited us to go backstage with them. So with a bouncer escort, we were shown from our seats and through the stage doors.

So there we are sitting around a table backstage with the Simple Minds lead singers parents, with Arrested Development wandering around when Jim walks in. It was a slightly surreal and definitely unexpected moment of the evening! So after chatting about the state of the roads in the Eastern Block countries, lawn bowls and Scottish weather, we got pictures and our tickets autographed before heading back to our seats to watch the last act of the evening.

This was a little wierd, with Michael Hutchence obviously missing from the INXS lineup - the American Rock Idol winner instead in his place. His voice no doubt impressive, though his stage presence was a little odd, especially since the rest of the band are probably nearly old enough to be his father.

Never the less, they played all there hits of old mixed in with a few new ones and the crowd went nuts.

Supply & Demand

Amos Lee - The Basement, Sydney

After what was turning out to be a rely sucky week work-wise, evening escapism was key in getting me through. Tuesday night we went to see Hot Fuzz, and then Wednesday, I was in for a treat as Amos Lee came to visit Sydney.

The Basement is located 2 floors below my first real Sydney job and is a tiny little venue almost purpose built for small intimate gigs. A pretty decent support act played for us before Amos and his small accompaniament of bass guitar and a drummer entered the stage. We'd gotten there pretty early and as such managed to secure some great central spots to stand at.

His voice is pretty unbelievable on his CDs and his live performance really did not let down. By the end of the set I was grinning from ear to ear as it really felt like I was the only person in the room. Absolute Class.

Thursday night cooked up another long hard graft before I met Craig, Jarrad and friends at an opening of a fashion store where I could relieve myself with a free beer. Afterwards a short trip across town and we were able to party it up in Establishment with Mr Burgess getting some stark surprises from some of the local girls ;)

Relax

Craigs arrival, Sydney

On Tuesday afternoon, I strolled back home, unlocked the front door and said hi to Craig. An old mate from my Thurrock Council days, and the first visitor to my new home from my old home.

Now, some of you may well know Craig, and you'll certainly know that he's not the errm, how do you say, 'busiest' of people, well you can imagine how he'd be with 11hours worth of jetlag to cope with! Of course I jest, I'm sure anyone woulda been the same ;)

So as the week developed, I gave Craig his first experiences of Australian football - or soccer as it's known more commonly here. First off, we played - at my regular game each week with my old work mates. Then second, at the Aussie Stadium.

The game was a real tantalising prospect - the Asian Champions League first group stage round matchup of Sydney FC Vs Urawa Reds (Japan). The creme de la creme of Asia-Pacific club football.

The Aussie Stadium was used in the 2000 Olympics for the soccer events and again in the Rugby world cup 2003 for some of the pre-final games. With a capacity of over 40,000 it was certainly worthy of the matchup. Tonight it was just over half way full up.

As I caught site of the turf, a tingling sensation came over me, it was only then that I remembered how much I used to enjoy going to see live football back in the UK. We bought some grub, then found some seats down near the away fans as they were going nuts even before the kickoff.

I've never come across fans like it in fact, the Japanese were going crazy every time there players scored a goal - in the pre-match kick about!

So finally kick off came, and within 1minute, Sydney FC took the lead with a pretty well worked goal. The stadium went crazy - including the Japanese fans - it seems they can't be distracted by the odd goal against them. Within another 10minutes, the ref awarded a penalty Sydneys way which they duly converted. It was about this time it went downhill. I won't talk down the Aussie/Asian game too much, but once the initial adrenaline boost had subsided, the game was scrappy and quite frustrating to watch. The score ended up at 2-2 with a horrendous blunder by the Sydney keep handing the Reds an equaliser.

Those Red fans though, kept going like no fans I've ever seen. Even 1-0 down, then 2-0 down, it took them all of about 10seconds to get their noise levels up again. Not even a chance to sing "You're not singin' anymore". They even managed to sing a slightly incomprehendable Japanese karoake version of "1-0 to the Urawa boys".



The weekend came and it was time for Craigs intro to a Sydney night out - we met with my usual crew of ex-work mates and went about things with all the usualy low-carb intentions. A miniature pub crawl that didn't really end up anywhere good finished us off for the night.


The following morning I showed Craig down to my old neighbourhood of Coogee where we grabbed a great brekkie whilst soaking up the morning rays and keeping cool with a perfect breeze. A little wander around showing off the cliffside wonders and the midday sun peaked off at 34degrees. Not bad for an Autumnul day if you ask me!


Craig split for some lawn bowling action, myself and Aaron headed down to Maroubra, our new local beach - for a dip. We got more than we bargained for as the surf was up and for the 10minutes we were in the water for, got belted thru and thru by the unrelenting waves. The lifeguard had to whistle us out after the rip carried us out of the safe area. Oops...